ASD and Social Anxiety - Uni Choices?

[Edito]

DD has ASD1 and Anxiety primarily social. She changed school mid-teens because we had to move and it was an incredibly challenging time for her so we're aware that starting Uni is going to be difficult especially socially. Having said that 2.5 years in, she is settled and achieving higher than average if not stellar grades and there's no reason to assume similar won't happen at Uni. She wants Uni as she's not sure she's ready for the full-time workplace yet, but she does want a placement year as a taster for work.

So we're starting to look at options

• She's taking IB scores and if I judge based on current grades probably sitting around mid-thirties so in A levels that's probably ABB or BBB. She could probably score higher but I'm assuming nerves will kick in at exams
• Sciences are her interest. Her IB choice is HL Bio, Chem, Psycology, SL Maths AA, English and French. So far she's interested in BioChem, BioMedical, and maybe Psychology. Any that have a particularly good work placement reputation/options?
• She wants to be in Scotland or North England as we have family there. I think she needs a large town/small city, not rural, central campus, good selection of accommodation (I can't see her making solid enough friends in the first few months to be able to choose flatmates early for Y2), possibly quiet dorm options, and of course strong pastoral care.

Be very grateful for any ideas of Unis to consider. This article has suggested https://www.fenews.co.uk/student-view/the-best-neurodivergent-friendly-universities-in-the-uk-revealed/ Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam, Strathclyde. I'm discounting the likes of Durham etc as I think the pressure would be wrong.

And of course, any experience of those who have kids in Uni at the moment and how they've got on is equally gratefully received.

Thanks!

Would Lancaster suit or would you class that as rural?

Campus uni just outside the town with accommodation in colleges.

Uni has Chancellors Wharf in the town for second and third year which is Uni owned.

Has BioMed and BioChem courses with placement years and Biology with Psychology with placement year.

IB requirement is around 35

York? I have heard it's possible to remain in halls for all the years (the pressure of having to find a houseshare might not suit social anxiety, but I guess with a medical letter most universities would allow students with ASD/anxiety to remain in halls in second and third years). I think they are pretty well respected for those types of sciences and do placement years in industry. But it's campus based, sometimes people with social anxiety might prefer a more anonymous environment in a town/city rather than a campus bubble.

Thank you - both great ideas.
I think Lancaster has a college system as well? Which I think might help as a smaller community within the University.
And York is very close to family so should be on the list too - I didn't realise that about dorms but actually that might be a good idea even if by Year 3 she's happy to spread her wings.

Thanks

Would definitely recommend Lancaster, campus based with everything on site so not too overwhelming. College system which might suit. Have heard good things about the pastoral support there too.

Sheffield is a nice small city too.

Yes Lancaster accommodation is split into colleges and each college has its own bar. When I was there there were lots of college specific events you could join in.

I went to Lancaster and suffered with anxiety in my late teens. I loved living on campus in my first year and in those first few months while I found my feet I loved the fact that being on campus it was very easy to get to all my lectures, tutorials, library but then retreat back to my room for an hour or two in between to reset. Weekends were quieter on campus but I liked that as well.

I made some really great like minded friends from the same college as me - though in a different flat - in the bar in the first week - and we lived together in uni housing in 2nd and 3rd year.

It's many years now since I was there so no recent experience of the pastoral care but it definitely suited me.

I am not familiar with Lancaster but believe it's quite well rated for pastoral care.
York also has a college system.
There is this ranking of student mental health provision by university (York does very well, Lancaster quite badly, so who knows?!):
HUMEN University Mental Health League Table – HUMEN (wearehumen.org)

@Mummynextdoor thank you for that - sounds very much what would work for DD especially the ability to retreat for an hour or so
And @babyzoomer good to know York is also a college option as well as thank you for the link - definitely something to investigate more.
@Turmerictolly Sheffield has appeal, I know it a little and recall it being a good city option.

Strathclyde does have good student support but it is right in the city centre of Glasgow which doesn’t sound like what you’re looking for. Stirling maybe if you want a Scottish option?

I lived in Glasgow for five years so am familiar with the city (and indeed love it!), it could work as I feel the centre itself is relatively compact. She's been once and enjoyed it.

Is Stirling still very sporty - which is not her thing - I recall it used to have a reputation for that?

This current thread suggests Stirling is still very sporty: Experiences of Stirling? | Mumsnet

They have Olympic level sporting facilities - my knowledge of it is people studying social science so it definitely isn’t ALL sport!

I know you said north, but DD is at Essex (Colchester) and the university accommodation is plentiful and cheap. Lots of them, including DD and most of her friends, have stayed in halls for all 3 years. They even give them a discount if they reserve their space for the following year early enough.

She was very anxious about going to university and we didn't know whether she'd cope but she has absolutely loved it and thrived.

Thank you all for the suggestions, it's a great starting point especially thinking about things like college systems. And also for sharing either your own or your kids stories, I do appreciate it

Sorry but home university worked best for AS dd ( huge anxiety, made worse by move away to halls). But starting afresh at local
uni proved a success.

Should add ... we live in major city making this pissible

Thanks for that I do agree that would be a good option for her; but sadly "home" university is not an option for us, hence looking for Unis close to other family members. We're already talking about the scaffolding she'll need to start and it's why the choice of Uni is almost the starting point as opposed to the course. I'm so glad to hear your DD is settled now.

I just wanted to add to the York suggestion.

Lancaster immediately sprang to my mind. I spent some time studying there, and also worked there for a brief period, and it’s a very lovely university. There’s a woodland trail around the campus which I enjoyed walking on when feeling a bit anxious, and the college system means there’s lots of support and a nice sense of community.

York is a good option. Small city. Campus. College system. Option to be catered (really helps in meeting others if finding it difficult to join societies). If she ticks the ASD box on the application form she’ll be invited for a two day intro a couple of weeks before others start. It’s for anyone with a disability including adhd, ASD etc etc. Just helps with settling in and getting a feel for the campus with fewer people around. As another poster has mentioned, there’s an option to stay on site for yr2 & yr3 - if there’s a need. The personal tutor system seems to work well too.

Another vote for Lancaster as someone who attended (and didn't yet know I had ASD).

I honestly can't thank you enough for these suggestions, looks like a trip to Lancaster, York and Sheffield is on the cards.

@Edito its always worth a chat / email with the disability team at any university. Better still if your DC contact them with their questions. Their responses will speak volumes too.

I would visit on open days and ask about transition support, can you have a 1:1 visit, get her support set up in advance etc. What mental wellbeing support do they have, what exam arrangements and adjustments can they make. Assuming she has formal diagnoses, apply for DSA as soon as it opens, the application process has taken a lot longer this year for most and I don't see that changing for next year.

What about Aberdeen? Good student support and student experience. Beautiful campus in Old Aberdeen. City is small enough to be manageable.

Thanks again, and good ideas about emailing in advance and judging their response in terms of future help.

Aberdeen would be a good shout although a fair distance from family, definitely need to look at transport links.